knuckle

American  

[nuhk-uhl] / ˈnʌk əl /

noun

1. a joint of a finger, especially one of the articulations of a metacarpal with a phalanx.

2. the rounded prominence of such a joint when the finger is bent.

3. a joint of meat, consisting of the parts about the carpal or tarsal joint of a quadruped.

4. an angle or protrusion at the intersection of two members or surfaces, as in the timbers of a ship or in a roof.

5. brass knuckles.

6. a cylindrical projecting part on a hinge, through which an axis or pin passes; the joint of a hinge.

7. (in a wire mesh) a bend in a wire crossing another wire.

8. (on a chair arm) one of the ridges left at the front end by longitudinal flutes carved to accommodate the fingers.

9. Nautical. a pronounced edge formed by a change in the form of the shell of a hull.

---

verb (used with object)

knuckled, knuckling

1. to rub or press with the knuckles.

2. Marbles. to shoot (a marble) from the thumb and forefinger.

verb phrase

1. knuckle down

   1. to apply oneself vigorously and earnestly; become serious.

      Just knuckle down for an hour or so and finish the work.

   2. Also knuckle under. to submit; yield.

knuckle British  

/ ˈnʌkəl /

noun

1. a joint of a finger, esp that connecting a finger to the hand

2. a joint of veal, pork, etc, consisting of the part of the leg below the knee joint, often used in making stews or stock

3. the cylindrical portion of a hinge through which the pin passes

4. an angle joint between two members of a structure

5. informal approaching indecency

---

verb

1. (tr) to rub or press with the knuckles

2. (intr) to keep the knuckles on the ground while shooting a marble

knuckle Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing knuckle

• rap someone's knuckles

---

Other Word Forms

• knuckly adjective

Etymology

Origin of knuckle

1325–75; Middle English knokel (akin to Dutch kneukel, German Knöchel ), diminutive of a word represented by Dutch knok, German Knochen bone; -le

Example Sentences

He was immensely popular, receiving so many fist bumps as they walked down the halls it was a wonder his knuckles didn’t bleed.

From Literature

Budget airline easyJet was given a rap on the knuckles this week for misleading customers about how much it charges for a carry-on bag.

From BBC

Her small muddy fists, clenched, were white at the knuckle.

From Literature

Only then do I notice her hands are clutching the wheel so tightly I can see the white outline of her knuckles.

From Literature

"Obviously things change as you move on but we just want to knuckle down."

From BBC

Related Words

• bow
• break down
• buckle
• capitulate
• cave in
• cease
• defer
• give in
• give way
• go down
• pass away
• perish
• quit
• wilt
• yield